The MCCF partnered with the city and county to provide an additional clean up day this year!  The extra day resulted in almost DOUBLE the amount of trash being shipped out of our community.  The first day (which was sponsored by the city) generated 136 loads of trash, while the second day (sponsored by the MCCF) generated 131 loads of trash! 

Through the community visioning process, it was identified that getting trash out of town is a top priority.  This additional dump day has not only doubled the amount of trash removed from White Sulphur this year, but has also prompted local government to examine alternative means of keeping garbage collected and out of town.

How are the Meagher County Community Foundation plans to beautify the area related to poverty reduction?  Let us count the ways!  Check out the following website for links to university research that demonstrates that green space and community beautification contributes to many important aspects of our community - ranging from better student achievement, higher levels of personal self esteem for community members, and increased sense of community!

http://www.projectevergreen.com/whygreenmatters/lifestyle.html

The Meagher County Community Foundation has teamed up with the City of White Sulphur Springs to host a second Clean Up day in White Sulphur Springs.  The annual Clean Up day is hosted on an alternating schedule by either the city or the county.  This year, it is the City’s responsibility to host the clean up day. 

Because residents have to pay for dumping, the City/County Clean-Up Day provides an opportunity for residents to get rid of bulky items (such as appliances) or other trash that they might otherwise be reluctant to dump.  Those living in poverty are especially reluctant to dump items that will cost a lot to dispose.  Offering a second clean up day is an attempt by Horizons and the MCCF to allow people to get rid of additional items and to really clean up this year!

The cost of the additional day of dumping is approximately $3,000.  This cost goes to pay for the trucking of the trash out of Meagher County.

In other exciting news, the offer to help with an additional Clean Up Day is adding new business to the City Council agenda for next month.  The city will meet to determine whether they might add approximately $15 in charges to the city water bills for dumping.  Most people in the city pay Disposal Services for their trash collection, however, there are many who opt not to pay for dumping services.  At least one city council member believes that, if people are already paying for dumping, they may be more likely to haul their trash out of town.  There are currently a number of residents to “hoard” their trash for the year and use the free dumping day to get rid of their trash.  The city is also suggesting that the fee imposed on the water bills would provide a voucher for a free day of dumping to each resident of the city.  The city is very sensitive to the needs of those in poverty and is concerned that even $15/month might stress some residents.  However, the current state of trash disposal in the community is creating health and safety concerns for some areas of town (hoarding trash contributes to rodent and pest infestations) and this action might help to eliminate that problem.

Horizons Steering Committee member, Sarah Calhoun, found some research that demonstrates the importance of clean up and beautification for White Sulphur Springs.  Thanks for this information, Sarah!

How Plants Help Communities - When trees are planted, communities grow
A scientific study at the Human - Environment Research Laboratory, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has demonstrated that green views and access to open green spaces in urban areas may in fact, help to restore attention and relieve everyday pressures of living in poverty.

For more information, check:

http://www.americainbloom.org/Default.aspx?CategoryId=63

This happened by accident!  In trying to help us determine what types of planters might work in White Sulphur, Brian Obert with Gateway Economic Development, pulled together photos of town in Montana with different types of planters.  He then pulled in pictures of White Sulphur to see where we could put the planters.  What we noticed is that White Sulphur looks like a ghost town!!!  See the next blog about research related to green spaces and poverty to understand more about how helping out our Main Street is helping to move us out of the duldrums!

Local high school student, Clive Ogle, conducted interviews with various community leaders regarding poverty in Meagher County.  Here’s what they had to say:

Poverty in Meagher County

Interviews by Clive Ogle

 Questions

1.      Do you feel poverty exists in Meagher County? 

2.      Do you feel ere is opportunity in Meagher county that is available to those in need to overcome poverty? 

3.      The State of Montana feels tat a family of four can live on $19,806 annually. Do you feel a family of four could survive on this amount? If more is needed, how far off do you feel the state is? 

4.      Is the issue the use of finances or just not having the finances? 

5.      Is the attitude of those in poverty in Meagher County, “You owe me because I’m poor or I am proud and you will never know I’m in financial need?” 

6.      What do you think the link is if any between church affiliation and poverty? 

7.      Strong safety and order is a characteristic of a thriving community, do you feel Meagher County has this characteristic? 

8.      Prosperity is also essential to a healthy community. This means, a community is growing, businesses are successful and there are plenty of jobs that pay well. What do you think Meagher County needs to do to be prosperous? 

9.      The ability to get good healthcare is also vital. The hospital’s relationship with its community must be strong to obtain the resident’s trust. Is this strength in Meagher County strong enough to hold its commitment. If the community supports the hospital, will the hospital support the community? Also if the hospital supports the community will the community support the hospital?

Click on the following links to see individual responses:

donna-morris-clerk-of-court.doc

herb-townsend-commissioner.doc

jamie-doggett-commissioner.doc

julian-theriault-mayor.doc

otto-ohlson-city-councilman.doc

Following community surveys, the visioning event, and many other forms of community input, the Horizons Steering Committee has released a final draft of the White Sulphur Springs community visioning statement.  The statement reads:

Visioning Statement

White Sulphur Springs is full of friendly people who value its rich history, small town way of life, and the multitude of outdoor opportunities that abound in the surrounding mountains.  We plan to demonstrate pride in ourselves by cleaning up our homes, in our community by beautifying our town, and in our history by renovating historical buildings.  In the next two years, we will work to develop community leadership, increase emphasis on community infrastructure planning, and strive to establish higher levels of civic engagement and community pride.

visioning-words.docvisioning-words.doc

At the October 6 Visioning Event, participants listed ideas of what they would like to see in our community.  In developing the community visioning statement, the Steering Committee has listed each of those comments.  The full list of ideas suggested at the event are included on the above link.

results-of-1981-community-survey.doc

As part of researching community development projects that occurred in White Sulphur Springs prior to Horizons, the Steering Committee located survey results from a 1981 Community Survey.  Many of the issues identified in 1981 (prior to the closure of the mills) are consistent with the issues identified in the 2007 study circles and visioning survey processes.  A copy of the survey results can be found at the above link.

The Horizons Steering Committee hosted an ice cream social for 71 youth of Roy Swanson Elementary School on Friday, November 9.  The youth developed visioning banners depicting their desires for the future of White Sulphur Springs.  These banners were posted throughout the school gym and youth discussed their visions while enjoying ice cream and cookies.  Common themes of the youth visions were clean up the community, increase opportuntities for youth activities, and adding shopping.  Teachers and steering committee members discussed these ideas with youth and enjoyed seeing the community from a different perspective.  A clean place to live ranked Number 1 in the elementary school visioning process. 

 These banners were previously posted at the Horizons Visioning Event.  The ice cream social was a way to hear more from the youth and to thank the kids for their participation.  Special thanks to teacher, Darci Shane, for coordinating this event!